Near Alleghany in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Stamp Mill
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013
1. Stamp Mill Marker
This mill, used to crush quartz rock in order to extract gold, was first located at the Del Norte and Scotia Mine in French Ravine, near Alleghany, an area which was suffering from an embarrassment of riches. The Alleghany lode was the purest pocket of gold ore in the United States. This mill was built in San Francisco in 1901 by Krogh Mfg. Co. and was brought to this area by mule teams. It weighs 8750 pounds, and was ordered by E.L. Crafts of Forest City for use in the mine. It had the capacity to crush 8 to 14 tons of rock a day. The mill was used until the mine ceased operation in 1949. This mill is a triple-discharge double stamp 1000 lbs mill, driven by a 10 hp horizontal engine and locomotive boiler. In cooperation with the US Forest Service and the Forest City Historical Association, the Clampers of Downieville Chaper (sic) 1849 funded and refurbished this mill to be operational.
Erected 2009 by E Clampus Vitus, Major William Downie Chapter No. 1849.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 39° 29.364′ N, 120° 51.211′ W. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Forest City Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest City Brewery (within shouting distance of this marker); Forest City (within shouting distance of this marker); Rite Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bovee Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); Alleghany (approx. 1˝ miles away); Henness Pass Road (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Sixteen to One Mine (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alleghany.
More about this marker. This marker and exhibit are located in Forest City.
Also see . . .
1. Stamp Mill - Wikipedia. Californian stamps were based on Cornish stamps and were used in the Californian gold mines. They were more rapid in action, and the heads and lifters were made to rotate so that they wore more evenly. The other advantage of the Californian stamp was that a single head could crush 1.5 tons of ore as opposed to the Cornish stamps which could only crush 1 ton. (Submitted on June 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. Stamp Mill Running - You Tube.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2013
2. Stamp Mill Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
